Pep Guardiola says he will take a break after leaving Manchester City, but retirement is uncertain

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that he plans to take a break after his time at the club but is uncertain whether he will retire from coaching.

Guardiola, 54, has enjoyed a highly successful nine-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium, marking the longest coaching spell of his career. Prior to City, he managed Barcelona for four years and spent three years with Bayern Munich.

He signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City last year, which will see him remain at the club until 2027.

Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Guardiola said:

“I want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break. How I want to be remembered, I don’t know.”

Guardiola emphasized that his legacy as a coach will be shaped by how fans feel about his teams’ performances.

“All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City had fun watching my teams play. I don’t think we should ever live thinking about whether we’re going to be remembered.”

Though he is stepping back, Guardiola’s future beyond Manchester City remains a mystery.